Receive the latest national-international updates in your inbox

A grieving husband said he lost his wife and best friend when the woman was gunned down as the couple returned home from celebrating his birthday. Reggie Kumar reports from South Los Angeles for a special edition of NBC4 News on Saturday, June 7, 2014. (Published Saturday, Jun 7, 2014)

Updated at 6:57 AM EDT on Sunday, Jun 8, 2014

A mother was shot and killed in South Los Angeles when she and her family were returning from celebrating her husband's birthday early Saturday, family members said.

Tynisa Guyton, 37 -- identified by her husband, Anthony Guyton -- was killed when two men jumped out of a dark-colored car in front of their home in the 1400 block of East 104th Street just after midnight and began to shoot at them, Lt. Steve Jauch said.

Anthony Guyton said he was able to make it into their home to protect his three children, ages 16, 10 and 8, but his wife was shot near the front door. She later died from her injuries.

"By the time I turned around my wife was laying behind the door," he said. "I guess she got hit trying to close the door."

Anthony Guyton was not injured in the shooting. The couple celebrated their 10-year anniversary in May, he said.

"My wife is a beautiful person, I just lost my best friend," Anthony Guyton said.

The fatal shooting occurred just hours before the family was celebrating his 38th birthday. The family was also going to celebrate the eight birthday of their youngest son.

"The kids, they lost their mother. I have no explanation for them," Guyton said.

Authorities did not say whether they believe the shooting is gang-related.

Information regarding the gunmen were not immediately known, but their dark-colored sedan was last seen driving eastbound on 104th Street, Jauch said.

Authorities are currently looking for witnesses to come forward to help with their investigation.